[Evil Drew M]

From a business standpoint, it would make more sense in helping the customer in front of you that is looking at something(might buy it) then helping someone on the phone, however you make/break your business by customer service so it's a tight line to walk.

I agree - I have stated that sentiment before.

If someone calls I will help them as much as I can - but if they call while I have a customer standing in front of me I have to prioritize. If they are calling to ask me what my best price is I tell them the shelf price, tell them our hours and ask them to stop in if they'd like to buy it.

If someone wants a better price they need to come in, stand in front of me and make me an offer. Then we can go from there. I am always happy to work packages and play around with pricing but not for someone who is calling every store in town just looking for the lowest price instead of actually going to one to see what all that shop has to offer.

 

[NetJunkie]

That is totally different - you are blatantly bargain shopping and whether you said you were going to buy one or not it was obvious to them that you were probably calling every store in town asking the same thing.

I will let you in on a little secret from the retail world. People say they are definitely going to buy something ALL the time and don't. I have a pile of "special orders" that have never been picked up to prove it.

I hate the whole "what's your best price?" question anyway and I encourage ANYONE who is selling ANYTHING to repeat the listed asking price when asked that question.

Oh how I love the double-standard for retail. And I'm saying this as someone that used to own a retail store. Of course he is bargain shopping. We're ALL bargain shopping. Guns like these are a commodity. They are currently in production and if Store A has one and Store B has one then I want to pay the lowest price. If it's a rare item that's diff, but something like a Colt RG 1911 isn't.

If asking for your best price means you don't want to deal with me then good luck in your future business dealings. I ask almost every gun shop that question when I'm looking to buy. Sometimes we negotiate, sometimes we don't and even when they won't budge I sometimes buy. I did that the other week at Hill's in Raleigh when I bought my Benelli SuperSport. Their price was pretty much the same as Gun Broker but I asked anyway. You never know how long a gun has been on the shelf and they may be motivated to get their money back out of it. They didn't move and I still happily bought.

Gun stores need to get off their high horse. I see them as one of the top 3 reasons more people don't own guns and shoot. Not to mention we're in a really down economy so driving away business is a very bad idea unless the customer is just costing you money. Me asking your best price isn't costing you money.

 

[Evil Drew M]

Oh how I love the double-standard for retail.

How is it a double-standard?

I have NEVER called a store and asked them what their "best price" is. Certainly I like deals and like to negotiate but I actually GET OFF MY ASS and go into the store to talk to them about it.

Lots of retail stores like to call their competitors and get pricing info. The ones around me do it all the time. That is reason #2 why I won't state anything other than full shelf price over the phone.

You say retailers need to get off their high horses - so do customers. Seriously. If you can't be bothered with coming to my store to check us out and see what we have to offer why should I go out of my way to kiss your ass over the phone? My customer base is loyal. I like loyal customers and I have a LOT of them. I have gotten them through face-to-face in person interaction and top notch customer service when they are IN my store. A customer that is looking for your best price and only your best price isn't going to be a loyal one as the next time they want something, and someone else was cheaper you have 2 choices - beat the guy across town's price or lose the customer.

Either way that sucks - and that is why I don't entertain the "best price" phone calls. Come into my store and we will talk but over the phone all you will ever get is my full retail price. Period.

 

[YJJPWrangler]

Netjunkie, I agree about supply/demand. For a gun like the OP wants, not every gun store will have it/even know what it is. Where I worked, I got 10-20 calls per day wanting to know best price on gun X. I would give them shelf price and say we would be happy to show it to them/talk to them. Had a lot of people come in(that called) and worked the price down. That's not a problem, I've done that at other stores for myself. It's the jack-legs that want to haggle over the phone that piss me off, believe me I've had them.

I agree with you on the high horse, but in a different sense. I've been to a lot of gun shops that have the tacticool "operator" type behind the counter with 2-3 guns OC(yes I've seen it). For a new shooter, this really doesn't invite a friendly atmosphere for simple questions etc. Some of the best gunshops I've been in, had employee's wearing "normal" clothes(not combat apparel) and employee's were willing to talk to newcomer's with the same attitude as the ones that have been shooting all their life.

 

[Brandon1]

If you can't be bothered with coming to my store to check us out and see what we have to offer why should I go out of my way to kiss your ass over the phone? My customer base is loyal. I like loyal customers and I have a LOT of them. I have gotten them through face-to-face in person interaction and top notch customer service when they are IN my store. A customer that is looking for your best price and only your best price isn't going to be a loyal one as the next time they want something, and someone else was cheaper you have 2 choices - beat the guy across town's price or lose the customer.

.

Then you drive away customers like me. I wasent price shopping in the first place (mostly just trying to find one in stock, money wasent a problem) but of course if you are $100 higher than other gun shops then I likely wont buy from you.

The biggest problem I have with what you said is "If you can't be bothered with coming to my store to check us out and see what we have to offer why should I go out of my way to kiss your ass over the phone?" You should go out of your way to kiss a customers ass ALL the time. As I said in the OP, I called shops all over NC, some hours and hours away (in places I would be going soon, but not right this second). Sometimes customers CANT come in. Like now, I'm pricing a gun at Eds in Vass, NC, but I cant call or visit b/c I am in class all day today.

In my business, I treat EVERY customer as if he/she is going to be a potential customer. I understand that one in the store gets more than the one on the phone ( I get that, I really do) but the gun shop employees need to remember than when you treat a customer like crap and tell them you are going to do something and then dont follow through, you loose the business at that point, and in the future. Again, I wasent looking at a $150 High Point, I was looking at nearly $2000 in guns. If a gun shop is willing to let that sale walk away, I'll spend my money elsewhere.

 

[Evil Drew M]

Then you drive away customers like me. I wasent price shopping in the first place (mostly just trying to find one in stock, money wasent a problem) but of course if you are $100 higher than other gun shops then I likely wont buy from you.

I wasn't talking to you (or about you). If you called me looking for something specific and I didn't have it I'd find out if I could get it for you.

The biggest problem I have with what you said is "If you can't be bothered with coming to my store to check us out and see what we have to offer why should I go out of my way to kiss your ass over the phone?" You should go out of your way to kiss a customers ass ALL the time. As I said in the OP, I called shops all over NC, some hours and hours away (in places I would be going soon, but not right this second). Sometimes customers CANT come in. Like now, I'm pricing a gun at Eds in Vass, NC, but I cant call or visit b/c I am in class all day today.

I am not in a business where I can ship so if you CAN'T come in you can't buy from me anyway.

In my business, I treat EVERY customer as if he/she is going to be a potential customer.

As do I. What I am saying through all of this is that I am not going to show all my cards and waste a lot of time on a bargain price tire kicker over the phone.

I politely give them my full retail price, tell them my hours and tell them I hope to see them. I'm NOT going to get into price negotiations over the phone. Period. Is that "bad" customer service? The people who say yes to that are more than likely going to be trouble in the long run anyway.

 

[Brandon1]

I am not in a business where I can ship so if you CAN'T come in you can't buy from me anyway.

As do I. What I am saying through all of this is that I am not going to show all my cards and waste a lot of time on a bargain price tire kicker over the phone.

I politely give them my full retail price, tell them my hours and tell them I hope to see them. I'm NOT going to get into price negotiations over the phone. Period. Is that "bad" customer service? The people who say yes to that are more than likely going to be trouble in the long run anyway.

I was mostly talking about checking availability, then picking it up in store. I visit various areas in NC during the course of a month, so most any gun shop is available to me.

As far as your second statement, I agree. I would not negotiate over the phone, however when someone showed me cash or interest in the gun in person I would negotiate then. Hell I was not even expecting anyone to talk to me right then as I am sure most shops have a customer in store that is more important at the time. I'm just asking for a call back. at all. I mean, Ed's was more than happy to respond to my email, thats better than the 1/2 dozen other shops that still have not called me back.

 

[Evil Drew M]

however when someone showed me cash or interest in the gun in person I would negotiate then.

Haha nah - retailers will negotiate once cash/interest is shown AND the buyer asks to negotiate.

If someone has cash and interest you still try to sell it at your shelf price - we are in this to earn a living afterall.

Why knock money off the price if the person is ok with the price before any discounts?

 

[Brandon1]

Why knock money off the price if the person is ok with the price before any discounts?

Thats what I meant to say. Same with me. If someone likes the quote I give them, great. If the say "can we get down to $xxx" I will usually work with them a bit.

 

[Snakum]

In regards to calling back, I would make it a point to call back anyone who had left a message. Gun shops do get busy and they probably forgot about it. However, the ones they said, " call you back in a sec" would piss me off.

It's sadly common for me to call, email, or visit a gunsmith or a retail shop and get a commitment for a quote, or for work, or for a new rifle, and then have to chase them if I ever want to hear from them again. I realize some people forget, and I forget things, too. But then calls or emails at the appointed times go completely unanswered. Sign of the times, I guess.

 

[beesouth]

If someone wants a better price they need to come in, stand in front of me and make me an offer. Then we can go from there.

I would suggest you tell them that...

 

[beesouth]

It's sadly common for me to call, email, or visit a gunsmith or a retail shop and get a commitment for a quote, or for work, or for a new rifle, and then have to chase them if I ever want to hear from them again. I realize some people forget, and I forget things, too. But then calls or emails at the appointed times go completely unanswered. Sign of the times, I guess.

I've had to do this with just about every business I run across since I moved to this state...

 

[Kriterian]

I have been on the hunt for either a Colt 01980RG Rail Gun or the 01880XSE standard 5" model. Now I did stop in at Fuquay Gun and Gold this AM and they had both, and at decent prices. However they didnt have the *exact* Rail Gun I wanted, so I passed on the offerings they had even though I was treated with respect and gratitude for my potential business. Also stopped in at S&K Pawn, again another great shop with extremely good customer service. I think more shops need to start taking some hints from these two gun shops.

Now, on the way back home I called several (more than 10) other gun shops (names withheld to avoid pissing and moaning) in the NC area. Not just the Raleigh area, all over NC. Checking prices and availability for either the Rail Gun or the regular 5" model. I had part #'s in hand, and descriptions of the gun. I was also checking the prices at the same time of 2 other pistols I was interested in, and asked each gun shop to quote me a cash otd price for all 3 and call me back by the end of the day (it was about 10:00am at the time).

Out of the more than 10 gun shops I called, I have had ONE call back. Now he was high as all sin, but he did call back. The rest of them didnt live up to their "oh I'll be happy to get those prices, call you back in a minute". Hell I had one shop have computer problems while I was on the phone, and was told "hang on I'll call you back in just a sec". Well, I'm still waiting. I also realize that less than 24hrs may be short on time to get a price quote, but every single shop said they would call me back by the end of the day. Shoot I asked one shop "can you get Colts?" and he simply said "nope".

Now I realize that most of the phone calls shops get are "whats your price on x"? I get that it gets old, however some people actually are interested in buying. Its also not like I was getting a price for a High-Point. I was pricing a $1000+ 1911, a $500 Kahr and a $300 Ruger. Not chump change by anyones standards.

I guess it just sort of ticks me off. As we have found out in the past, I'm a real sombitch about a business having good customer service, and to me that includes doing what they say they are going to do (ie: call someone back).

Is it really that hard?

Did you contact PDHSC in Raleigh? They have a website with an online pro shop, where you can look up any of the guns they can get, have it shipped to the store and pick it up there.

They have the 1980RG listed as $1142.95.

http://www6.davidsonsinc.com/consum...mbo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=

They have the 1880XSE listed as $935.95.

http://www6.davidsonsinc.com/consum...mbo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=

They're both out of stock, but they should be able to order it if you like the price and tell them you want to buy it.

 

[chucknbecky]

I ordered two pistols and a holster from Buds Gun Shop 3 weeks ago. 3 days later I got the holster , and I know it takes a little longer to ship the firearms. So I waited 5 more days and then emailed them- "Received the holster, thanks, just wondering about an estimated date for shipping the pistols."
No answer.
THat was 8 days after the order and not receiving any info- so I emailed them again this past Monday, which was just over 2 weeks. Not nasty, simply question, any idea when will ship...
No answer.
Great prices, I've ordered from them before, but..

 

[chucknbecky]

YJJPwrangler, I agree. It's not just the clothing it's the attitude. Gun store folks should look at Mas Ayoob and how he handles questions. The man is arguably the most knowedgeable around on CC etc, and I've seen him asked some pretty - seemingly- dumb questions. And I'm no expert by any means. But he takes the same amount of time, talks in the same tone of voice...the man isn't only smart, he's a heck of a really nice guy. Whether by phone or not, gun store people need to remember not everybody deals in firearms every day, and just because they want a 9 dollar holster doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated in a friendly manner.

 

[Beancounter81]

About a month ago, I was looking for a certain pistol. Nothing exotic but fairly popular. Called each of the 3 LGS's that I typically deal with to see if they had one in stock. LGS #1 did not have it but said they were getting a shipment later in the week that might have one. LGS #2 just said no, they didn't have it. LGS #3 said they did not have one in stock but if I would hold for a moment, they would check online with their two distributors. A few minutes later, they had me on one line and the distributor on the other, placing an order. Two days later I picked up the gun. LGS #3 worked with me on a trade-in and a bit on the price. Guess which place will be my first choice on my next purchase?

To be clear, I wasn't trying to negotiate price over the phone. I just appreciate that LGS #3 was interested enough in my business to see if they could get the gun while I was on the phone. Obviously they got my business and will get more in the future.

 

[Brandon1]

Did you contact PDHSC in Raleigh? They have a website with an online pro shop, where you can look up any of the guns they can get, have it shipped to the store and pick it up there.

They have the 1980RG listed as $1142.95.

http://www6.davidsonsinc.com/consum...mbo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=

They have the 1880XSE listed as $935.95.

http://www6.davidsonsinc.com/consum...mbo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=

They're both out of stock, but they should be able to order it if you like the price and tell them you want to buy it.

The price of that RG is a good bit higher than what it should be. The 1880 isnt bad, but another LGS had one on the shelf for $899. I did stop in at Personal Safety, much better experience than last time. Very nice service. Still a hair high on the prices, but they had allot of stuff that others didnt have (parts and such), just not the gun I wanted.

There was a Kimber Grand Raptor there.....$1350 or so. Man that thing was pretty.

 

[J.Boyette]

Nope,

Never had the problem since I use BB Enterprises and I see his prices and what he has in stock real easy.

Here is the colt search

http://www.davidsonsinc.com/consume...=None&sight_class_combo=None&num_rec=50&instock=all&offset_rec=0&b1.x=25&b1.y=8

The pistols your are asking for are at the rate of $1,014.19 & $934.99 + shipping.

http://www.tracearmory.com/gun-sales.html

John

 

[LC Howard]

I've never had a problem with researching and calling folks back at my p/t gig at a GS. In fact yesterday, got a call right at closing time at the end of a looonnngg day. Took down the info and customer's number. First thing this AM, did a little research, called back and advised price. He's still examining a few other models, no big deal, that's how it is.

BTW - I wear some 5.11 stuff - it's left over from when I had a real job and works as good work clothes.

 

[Gouranga]

try Ozark guns too. If you are serious about buying then shoot them an email. They can usually find what you want with a real good price. They do NOT keep it in stock, they will order from a distributor so you will wait but the savings is, IMO, worth it.
www.ozarkguns.com